Wonders (Edgemoor) or Children in the Shoe (BCC)??

[Anonymous]

We are trying to decide between Wonders (Edgemoor) and Children in the Shoe (BCC) for our 10 mo.-old, and would appreciate any and all information and feedback you may have.

The tuition is irrelevant because the difference is negligible.

What are your experiences w/r/t the teachers, sick policy, cleanliness (wiping toys after they’ve gone in a baby’s mouth, etc.), food options and the quality of the food offered, outside play time, and anything else I should be asking but am forgetting to do.

Thank you very much in advance for your replies!

[Anonymous]

We started at Children in the Shoe (East-West) and then switched to Wonders (Edgemoor). They are both good, but for us Wonders is better. Here's what we liked more.

1) Wonders is nonprofit and pays teachers above market rate. Virtually no turnover. Early childhood program benefits because it seems like the after-school programs help subsidize it. Also because they have need-based aid, the kids are more economically diverse.
2) Wonders keeps the kids together for the full academic year. No flow of kids moving up throughout the year. This year, the class my child was in started as an older infant class. As the kids got older, it transitioned into a toddler class with the same teachers (and ratios). The six kids have been together all year. Much more stable.
3) Wonders provides meals and snacks.

That said, we found the Shoe to be safe and loving, and I think your child will have a good experience at either.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Shoe BCC transitions classes together, too. My 3 year old is still with 4 of 5 infants she started with, all 5 of whom moved to the same toddler room. All of her teachers have been warm, patient, and nurturing.

The meals are a difference. Shoe doesn't provide lunch.

Also Wonders parking is easier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shoe BCC transitions classes together, too. My 3 year old is still with 4 of 5 infants she started with, all 5 of whom moved to the same toddler room. All of her teachers have been warm, patient, and nurturing.

The meals are a difference. Shoe doesn't provide lunch.

Also Wonders parking is easier.

Interesting, that was not the case at East-West. There were a few kids transitioning at a time, but not the whole class. And each class had a large range in age — our infant class was between 6 weeks and 15 months. At Wonders they are all within about 3 months of one another, which is why they stay together for a full year and slowly change the room from infant to toddler as the kids grow. All the kids are ready for it at around the same time.

[Anonymous]

My DS is at the Shoe. I think the transitions seem to vary a bit by child/age. Most of the classes do transition together, but my child has often been in a small group of a couple or just by himself. It's worked out fine.

Honestly, we love the Shoe. My only criticism is the parking - and even that is not that bad. When we were looking at daycares (after having been at a DC center with our older child for years), one of my criteria was that the center have a good outside area and that the classes would (obviously, starting once the children were a little older) go out for walks in the neighborhood and community. The Shoe does this all the time. My child comes home tired and happy and aware of the things in his community - even little things like counting the mailboxes they see will prompt discussions about how letters travel in the postal system from one place to the next. The teachers are imaginative and caring. They do have substantive things that they teach, but it is definitely done in a play-based manner and is often directed in part towards the issues that the kids care about (like Super Heroes). I have found that most of the teachers are long time staff and that there is not regular turnover. I honestly cannot say enough good things about the Shoe.

[Anonymous]

Hey OP, what did you ultimately decide and why?

[Anonymous]

Parking at the BCC Shoe has improved since the beginning of the year. The building hired a parking lot attendant in the morning who does a good job discouraging delivery, contractor vans from taking up the visitor spots. Unfortunately, the church parking lot is no longer a good option because the adjoining landlord put up a chain link fence that blocks the staircase!

[Anonymous]

Bump!

Looking at both of these centers for an infant. Any recent experience? Costs? Waitlist timing during COVID?

[Anonymous]

Another bump! Any updated experiences about either Shoe or Wonders Edgemoor?

[Anonymous]

We love the Shoe! It does and did a great job retaining teachers; many have been there for a decade or more, and barely any left during the pandemic. They're required to be vaccinated and wear masks inside.

[Anonymous]

I think they are both good. We had a great experience at Wonders (and it was very convenient for a metro commute pre-covid).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We love the Shoe! It does and did a great job retaining teachers; many have been there for a decade or more, and barely any left during the pandemic. They're required to be vaccinated and wear masks inside.

We have two kids at the Shoe, 3 years and we love the teachers and community. Agree with PP that teachers stay a long time and kids/families as well.

I do wish they provided lunch like Wonders!